This statement applies to anyone working on behalf of North Nibley Preschool, including all paid staff, committee members, volunteers, agency staff and students.

 

This statement has been drawn up on the legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England.

 

North Nibley Preschool is committed to the safeguarding of all its children, staff and volunteers. Safeguarding is a priority with arrangements in place to ensure that all children feel safe and are safe whilst in the care of North Nibley Preschool, indoors and outdoors.

 

We believe that:

• Children should never experience abuse of any kind

• We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children to keep them safe

• We will always use best practice to keep them safe

 

North Nibley Preschool ensures safeguarding legislation and guidance are adhered to and taken into account when developing and revisiting policies, procedures and associated arrangements. The preschool provides a safe physical environment for its children and staff ensuring the premises are of good standards. Health and Safety arrangements are in place to ensure adherence to current legislation and guidance remain in place at all times.

 

Any person applying for any post (paid or unpaid) at North Nibley Preschool will be subject to recruitment and selection procedures designed to emphasise the preschools commitment to the safeguarding of its children and staff.

 

The procedures include application form to be fully completed, shortlisting of applicants to be made by at least two members of the committee/staff, one of whom has a valid ‘safer recruitment ‘certificate, questioning at interview stage, verification of appropriate qualification, acquiring references and all necessary safety checks.

 

North Nibley Preschool has a designated ‘Safeguarding’ lead, responsible for child protection, supporting staff in carrying out their safeguarding duties and working closely with other services. It is a condition that all staff are trained to a level appropriate to their safeguarding responsibilities.

 

When and where necessary, North Nibley Pre-school works in conjunction with other agencies/support groups.  For example, with respect to Early Help (an umbrella term that describes the work of many agencies engaged with children and families including health services, schools, learning providers, local authorities, voluntary sector, children and family centres, police, housing providers and many others).  Early Help is a key element of safeguarding and, as such, North Nibley Pre-school staff are aware of their responsibilities in this respect.  Staff are alert to any issues of concern in a child’s life, being well placed to observe children day to day and identify those whose behaviour suggests that they may be experiencing a mental health problem or be at risk of developing one.

 

The HM Government (2018) document Working Together to Safeguard Children states “Providing early help is more effective in promoting the welfare of children than reacting later”.  The Pre-school and other agencies all engage to a greater or lesser extent in work that seeks to avert a problem developing and preventing difficulties from escalating or the deterioration of circumstances which could adversely affect children, young people and families.

 

Further information on Early Help can be found at www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk

 

Remote learning

North Nibley Pre-school is not involved in remote learning.  However, the setting advocates to parents/carers that they have suitable parental controls on devices which their child has access to at home.  We recommend our parents/carers use age-appropriate apps for pre-school learning and direct them to www.internetmatters.org for further advice.

 

 

North Nibley Preschool committee and the safeguarding lead will continue to keep up to date with any developments in this area and implement arrangements to continually improve the safety and awareness of its children, staff and volunteers.

 

References

• www.nspcc.org.uk

• www.gcse.org.uk

• HM Government Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 (updated 9 December 2020)

• HM Government Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020 (updated January 2021 post EU Exit)

 

Further guidance

• www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk

• www.internetmatters.org

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Updated January 2021

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Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO): Our Deputy Playleader, Becky, is our SENCO lead.  She can be contacted via the pre-school email address (northnibleypreschool@hotmail.co.uk).  Also see our SEND policy (No 17), via the Policy and Procedure section of this website.